Tips for October 26

Split garlic bulbs into individual cloves and plant with the tip 2.5cm below the soil surface. Space 15cm apart in rows  30 cm apart. Cover with biodegrable fleece to protect from birds.

Lift Cannas before the weatherturns too cold. Cut stems down to 15cm, remove surplus soil and allow to dry. Store in trays or large pots of barely damp compost in a dark frost free location.

Cut back Buddleias and shrubby Malvas by about half their height to prevent wind rock over winter.

Plant allium, lilly and fritllary bulbs in beds and pots. Bury at roughly two or three times their length, pointed end upwards space them at least one bubls width from each other.

When dormant lift and divide large clumps of rhubard, replanting in soil improved with well rotted manure or garde compost.

Rake off fallen leaves from lawns before they block off light and air to the grass.

If winter moth caterpillars have caused damge to fruit trees, prevent more egg laying by applying sticky grease bands or barrier glue around the trunk and tree stakes to intercept wingless females.

Do not prune mature ivy between now and late winter, as the flowers are a valuable source of late season nectar and berries are loved by garden birds.

Prune back hybrid tea and floribunda roses by a third to reduce wind rock.

Plant spring-flowering bulbs but delay planting tulips until November to avoid the risk of tulip fire.